a question posed during homily at mass

[lonnienord]

During the homily this evening our pastor was talking about questions and shared with us this one from his seminary days:

A mouse got into the tabernacle with the blessed sacrament. He ate some of it. Did he eat JESUS?

i'll share the answer tommorrow after mass.

 

[Paul S]

Yes, it did.

 

[lonnienord]

Yes, it did.

that was my answer and we are half right. i'll explain tommorrow

 

[ZooMom]

Hmmm...tricky question.

On one hand I want to say, yes, he did eat Christ's Body. That the change during the Consecration is absolute and permanent.

But then...I can't believe that Christ is 'imprisoned' in the Host...that He would be helpless against desecration...would it not be possible for Him to withdraw His Presence in that instance?

 

[Paul S]

But then...I can't believe that Christ is 'imprisoned' in the Host...that He would be helpless against desecration...would it not be possible for Him to withdraw His Presence in that instance?

Of course it's possible - if God can turn bread and wine into His flesh and blood, He can turn it back. But does He?

 

[lonnienord]

that sounds logical but it isn't my pastors answer and i like his answer

 

[ZooMom]

Of course it's possible - if God can turn bread and wine into His flesh and blood, He can turn it back. But does He?

And if He doesn't, and suffers the desecration, is it a new outrage or an extension of Calvary? Or not even an extension...since the Sacrifice of the Mass is the same Sacrifice throughout time...would the humiliation and suffering be the same if He suffered desecration through the Host?



Do you see what I'm asking? I'm struggling with a concept here.

 

[Paul S]

And if He doesn't, and suffers the desecration, is it a new outrage or an extension of Calvary? Or not even an extension...since the Sacrifice of the Mass is the same Sacrifice throughout time...would the humiliation and suffering be the same if He suffered desecration through the Host?

Isn't His suffering on Calvary already suffering for all the sins that will ever be committed? But I see what you're asking. I think it's a new sin, just like any other. I also think He suffers the desecration, because if He didn't, there'd be no need to protect the Host.

 

[lonnienord]

your discussion was very interesting but let me point out that this is a hypothetical question. (hopefully it has never happened!)

 

[Paul S]

your discussion was very interesting but let me point out that this is a hypothetical question. (hopefully it has never happened!)

But desecration of the Host does happen, especially in Satanic rituals.

Or, this could happen:

9. If the consecrated host disappears, either by some accident such as a gust of wind or by some animal's taking it, and it cannot be found, then another is to be consecrated, beginning from the Qui pridie quam pateretur, having first been offered as above.

 

[Diane_Windsor]

A mouse got into the tabernacle with the blessed sacrament. He ate some of it. Did he eat JESUS?

According to RC theology he did. I'm not sure on why we are only half right though.

But desecration of the Host does happen, especially in Satanic rituals.

And it has in the past during the Reformation period.

Diane

 

[plainswolf]

O boy.. this is something I never considered... how did the mouse get into the Tabernacle?

 

[Carrye]

O boy.. this is something I never considered... how did the mouse get into the Tabernacle?

A Rodential Conspiracy?

 

[PassthePeace1]

O boy.. this is something I never considered... how did the mouse get into the Tabernacle?

They are very clever little creatures...lol...!!!! I know I have meet a few smart ones in my day!!

 

[bigsierra]

It's officially tomorrow here.

 

[Markh]

well a mouse does not an immortal soul so I suppose he would only profit from the body and blood, not soul and divinity- he would not receive their effects as he has not the spiritual organ to do so.

 

[Cat59]

I'm going to wait for lonnie's answer...
Although I like Carrie's...

 

[lonnienord]

i like Markh's answer it is very close to the answer

 

[lonnienord]

My Pastors answer is that yes because once the bread becomes JESUS it is always JESUS but no because the mouse does not have a spirit and JESUS is spiritual food that can only be recieved by someone who has a spirit. humans have spirits animals do not

 

[ej]

I was going to say the mouse would have eaten Jesus if he'd been a Catholic mouse believing in the Real Presence.